At the conclusion of last year’s season, the Concord competitive cheer team created a list of goals.

One of the goals was to win the Big Eight Conference title. That goal was checked off the list last week when the Yellow Jackets secured the title at the Big Eight Conference Tournament. It’s the first Big Eight title for Concord’s program since the 2004-05 season.

“The girls set this goal at the end of the season last year, and worked hard to achieve it. So to see their hard work pay off means everything,” Concord coach Trish Thomas said.

The Yellow Jackets blew through the conference this season, winning all Big Eight jamborees. Thomas said her team went through weekly setbacks, but never let that get in the way of achieving its goal.

“I think what made our team successful this year is perseverance. We literally had an injury or illness every week this season,” Thomas said. “The girls never let these things deter them from their goal. We never made excuses, we just found a way to overcome.”